ABC International’s media development unit, ABC International Development (ABCID), has launched an innovative three-year programme called Future Voices, offering hands-on leadership and digital journalism training to Southeast Asia’s next generation of media leaders.

The programme’s launch coincides with Australia hosting the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup and some participants are spending two-weeks in Brisbane and the Gold Coast where they will receive on-the-ground mentoring and mobile journalism training at matches and earn a micro-credential in Leadership and Sports Diplomacy at Griffith University.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said, “We are proud to launch this significant new programme, leveraging the ABC’s expertise in building and managing independent, ethical and inclusive newsrooms and sharing these skills with our colleagues across the region. Future Voices will strengthen Australian connections with Asia, building meaningful relationships with and between the region’s media organisations and this year, championing female participation in news and sports media.”

ABCID Manager Jo Elsom said the new programme will equip young media professionals with a suite of practical reporting skills, strengthening their capacity to elevate coverage of cultural and sporting events in their own countries.

“Programme graduates will have the unique opportunity to practice commentary, interviews, and match-day reporting in real time at a major international women’s sporting event, developing high-quality, multi-platform sport content in a fast-paced environment. Combined with their course at Griffith University, they will return to their media organisations with important new leadership and management skills.”

“It’s critical that we continue enhancing the capability of our media leaders across our region, to encourage diverse and independent reporting – Future Voices gives journalists from across our region such a wonderful opportunity to build connections and deepen their skills.”

Head of the ASEAN-Australia Centre, Fiona Hoggart, said the Centre is dedicated to championing initiatives like Future Voices that build capability and deepen Australia’s connections with Southeast Asia.

“The ASEAN-Australia Centre is proud to support such a valuable programme,” Ms Hoggart said. “Future Voices not only strengthens our partnerships in Southeast Asia, it gives young journalists the chance to build practical skills and supports quality reporting across our region as Australia hosts the Women’s Asian Cup.

“Participants will form relationships with colleagues from across Australia and Southeast Asia that will last for years to come.”

Griffith University Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Caitlin Byrne AM said, “Griffith University is committed to supporting a strong and vibrant media landscape across the Asia–Pacific. We are delighted to partner with the ABC to equip sports journalists from the region with the skills and confidence to lead informed, meaningful public discourse within a rapidly evolving media environment.”

Future Voices aims to deepen Australia’s regional connections and foster a peaceful, prosperous Southeast Asia, with a new cohort entering the program each year, and is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s ASEAN-Australia Centre.

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